November 14, 2013

 

Giant Step Forward for Early Ed

First 5 Alameda County along with family and children advocacy groups across California and the nation are lining up to support theStrong Start for America's Children Act of 2013, introduced in Washington yesterday by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), and Representatives Richard Hanna (R-NY) and George Miller (D-Contra Costa County). This bipartisan legislation will expand high-quality early childhood education for children ages 0-5 by building on the framework outlined by President Obama in his 2013 State of the Union address.  Among other features, this new legislation will provide:

  • Expanded access to quality voluntary preschool for 4 year olds from families below 200% of the federal poverty line through a federal-state partnership and state matching system over the next 10 years.
  • Allow states to use 15% of their pre-k funding to provide high-quality child care settings for infants and toddlers to help prevent the learning gap and ensure they are on-track when they get to pre-k.
  • Give Early Head Start programs the ability to reach more eligible children through partnerships with child care programs to improve quality.
  • Expand evidence-based home visiting programs that have been shown to have a range of positive impacts on parenting.

Congress Catching Up to Science

Brain science and program research demonstrates overwhelmingly that children who have quality early learning and family support are ready to learn when they enter kindergarten and better prepared to meet the challenges of school and life.  First 5 Alameda County has provided long-standing commitment to quality early childhood education through investments in improving the early education workforce, ensuring that pre-school programs are of high quality, and funding direct services (e.g., Summer Pre-K programs throughout the County).  It's time to bring these programs to scale.

 

Welcome Boost for California Kids

After years of economic recession and government cutbacks, California is ready for a significant investment in its children's futures.  Despite the demonstrated benefits of home visiting, quality childcare and preschool education, half of low-income children do not have access to state pre-school or federal Head Start Program, leading to inequality from birth. This legislation will open quality early learning programs for children across the county and allow the children most in need of support to enroll in programs that build skills needed to close the achievement gap.

 

Help Pass the "Strong Start" Act

Please write or call your representatives in Washington and ask them to support or co-sponsor the "Strong Start for America's Children Act." You can find a link and language to use at Zero-to-Three's website. Now is a critical time to act.

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